Arenal & La Fortuna
The perfect-cone volcano (dormant since 2010) with hot springs (Tabacón, EcoTermales), the La Fortuna waterfall, hanging bridges, and lava-view hikes.
Why go: The adventure capital — hot springs under a volcano.
2–3 nights
Destination Overview
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica is the easiest adventure destination in the Americas: no army since 1948, direct flights from many US cities, English widely spoken, and 6% of the world's biodiversity in a country smaller than West Virginia. 'Pura vida' — the pure life — is the national motto and the national mood.
The classic first trip links three zones: Arenal/La Fortuna (volcano, hot springs, hanging bridges), Monteverde (cloud forest, ziplines, quetzals), and a beach — Manuel Antonio (jungle-meets-beach) or Guanacaste (dry, golden, resort-lined). Each leg is 3–4 hours by road or a short hop on a small plane.
Wildlife is the point: sloths, monkeys (four species), toucans, scarlet macaws, and sea turtles are genuinely easy to see with a guide. The country protects 25% of its land in parks and reserves.
Costa Rica suits families (it's the best family eco-destination anywhere), honeymooners, adventure travelers, and wildlife lovers. Dry season (December–April) is peak; the green season (May–November) brings afternoon rains, lushness, and 30% lower prices.
Photo Gallery
Costa Rica in photos
Tap any photo to open the full-screen gallery.
Top Attractions
The best things to see in Costa Rica
What to prioritise, why it is worth your time, and roughly how long to allow.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Misty high-altitude forest: hanging-bridge walks, the original ziplines, hummingbird gardens, and (with luck) the resplendent quetzal.
Why go: A unique ecosystem — and the birthplace of canopy ziplining.
2 nights
Manuel Antonio
The country's most popular national park: white-sand beaches inside the park, sloths and monkeys on the trails, and a town of jungle-view hotels above the sea.
Why go: The easiest place to combine beach and wildlife.
2–3 nights
Guanacaste
The dry northwest coast: Tamarindo's surf and sunsets, the Papagayo peninsula's resorts, and Conchal's shell-sand beach. The sunniest region in the country.
Why go: The best beach weather and the big resorts.
3–4 nights
Tortuguero
The Caribbean coast's jungle canals — reachable only by boat or plane — with green turtle nesting (July–October), monkeys, and caimans.
Why go: The 'Amazon of Costa Rica' — a completely different side of the country.
2 nights
Corcovado & the Osa Peninsula
National Geographic called it 'the most biologically intense place on earth': scarlet macaws, tapirs, and all four monkey species in primary rainforest.
Why go: The wildest place in Costa Rica — for nature lovers.
2–3 nights
Sloth & wildlife spotting
Sloths, howler and capuchin monkeys, toucans, and tree frogs are everywhere — but a naturalist guide with a scope finds ten times what you'd spot alone.
Why go: The wildlife is the reason to come; guides make it happen.
Every day
Ziplining & adventure
Costa Rica invented the canopy zipline — the best are in Monteverde and Arenal, alongside whitewater rafting (Pacuare), canyoning, and surf lessons.
Why go: The adventure menu that defined eco-adventure travel.
Half days
Want these built into a real itinerary?
Send us your dates and travelers and we'll put together a Costa Rica trip with flights, hotels, and the experiences worth booking ahead.
Things To Do
Ways to spend your days in Costa Rica
Grouped by the kind of trip you're planning.
Wildlife
- Guided park walks. Manuel Antonio and Corcovado with a naturalist guide — the scope makes the difference.
- Night walk. Frogs, snakes, and kinkajous after dark in Monteverde or Arenal.
- Turtle nesting (Tortuguero). July–October night tours to see green turtles nest.
- Birdwatching. 900+ species; quetzals in Monteverde (Feb–Jun), macaws on the Osa.
Adventure
- Ziplining, Monteverde. The original and best — some lines run half a mile through cloud forest.
- Whitewater rafting, Pacuare. One of the world's great rafting rivers; day trips or lodge overnights.
- Hanging bridges, Arenal. Mistico or Sky Walk — canopy-level forest with volcano views.
- Surf lessons, Tamarindo. Gentle beach breaks perfect for beginners.
Hot springs & wellness
- Tabacón & EcoTermales. Volcano-heated river pools; book evening slots for the atmosphere.
- Free hot river, La Fortuna. The locals' spot — the same water without the entry fee.
- Yoga retreats, Nosara. The Nicoya peninsula's wellness capital.
- Spa days. Jungle-view spas at the Arenal and Papagayo resorts.
Beaches
- Manuel Antonio park beaches. White sand inside the national park — arrive at 7am opening.
- Tamarindo & Conchal. Guanacaste's lively surf town and the shell-sand beach.
- Papagayo peninsula. Calm resort coves — the luxury beach base.
- Puerto Viejo (Caribbean). Reggae vibes, Cahuita's reef, and a different culture.
Where To Stay
Best areas to stay in Costa Rica
Location matters more than star rating. Here's what each area is actually best for.
La Fortuna / Arenal
AdventureHot springsFamilies
The activity hub with the volcano backdrop; hotels from hostels to luxury hot-spring resorts.
Monteverde / Santa Elena
Cloud forestZiplinesBirding
Cool mountain air (pack a fleece); Santa Elena town has the restaurants.
Manuel Antonio / Quepos
Beach + wildlifeFamilies
Jungle hotels above the park; the easiest wildlife beach combo.
Guanacaste (Tamarindo / Papagayo)
Beach resortsSurfSunshine
The dry coast: Tamarindo for energy, Papagayo for luxury resorts, an hour from Liberia airport.
Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)
Laid-back vibeCulture
Afro-Caribbean culture, reggae, and reef — the alternative coast.
Recommended Stays
Where we book clients in Costa Rica
A cross-section by budget. Send us any property — including one you found online — and we'll check our rate before you book.
Luxury
Luxury eco-resorts
Papagayo / Arenal
Four Seasons Papagayo, Nayara (Arenal) — the country's finest, with sloths on the grounds. We book with preferred amenities.
Upscale
Jungle lodges
Osa / Tortuguero / Arenal
All-inclusive nature lodges with guided activities — the real Costa Rica experience.
Family-Friendly
Beach resorts, Guanacaste
Papagayo / Tamarindo
All-inclusive and full-service resorts on the dry coast — easy family beach time.
Mid-Range
Boutique jungle hotels
Manuel Antonio / Monteverde
Monkey-visited balconies and plunge pools at mid-range prices.
Best Value
Eco-hostels & cabins
All areas
Costa Rica's budget scene is excellent — clean cabins and hostels from $40.
Hotel suggestions are editorial recommendations based on location and traveler fit. Availability, room categories, and rates are confirmed at the time of quoting.
When To Go
Best time to visit Costa Rica
Weather, crowds, and what the season does to pricing.
Season by season
- Best overall
- December to April (dry season); May–November is greener, quieter, cheaper
- High season
- Mid-December to April — the dry season; Christmas–New Year and Easter week are the peaks.
- Shoulder season
- May–June and November — the 'green season' starts/ends: morning sun, afternoon showers, great value.
- Low season
- September–October — the wettest months on the Pacific (but the Caribbean coast is at its driest).
Weather
Tropical: 75–90°F at the coasts, cooler in the cloud forest. Dry season Dec–Apr on the Pacific; the Caribbean has its own pattern.
Crowds
Manuel Antonio and Arenal peak in dry season; book parks and hot springs ahead.
Pricing
Green season saves 25–40%; Christmas and Easter weeks carry premiums and minimum stays.
Month-by-month weather
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Conditions | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 88°F / 31°C | 72°F / 22°C | Dry and sunny on the Pacific | High season |
| February | 89°F / 32°C | 72°F / 22°C | Driest month; excellent | |
| March | 90°F / 32°C | 73°F / 23°C | Hot and dry; Easter crowds | |
| April | 90°F / 32°C | 74°F / 23°C | Last dry month; hottest | |
| May | 88°F / 31°C | 74°F / 23°C | Green season begins; afternoon showers | Value begins |
| June | 87°F / 31°C | 73°F / 23°C | Lush; morning sun | |
| July | 87°F / 31°C | 73°F / 23°C | 'Veranillo' mini dry spell; turtles arrive | |
| August | 87°F / 31°C | 73°F / 23°C | Green; turtle nesting peaks | |
| September | 87°F / 31°C | 73°F / 23°C | Wettest on Pacific; driest on Caribbean | |
| October | 86°F / 30°C | 72°F / 22°C | Pacific rains; Caribbean sunshine | Caribbean season |
| November | 86°F / 30°C | 72°F / 22°C | Rains ease; green and quiet | Shoulder value |
| December | 87°F / 31°C | 72°F / 22°C | Dry season returns; festive peak | Book early |
Temperatures are typical seasonal averages and are provided as general guidance only.
Trip Planning
How many days do you need in Costa Rica?
What each trip length realistically gets you — plus day-by-day plans.
7 nights
Arenal (3) plus a beach (4) — the essential combo.
9–10 nights
Arenal, Monteverde, and a beach — the classic triangle.
12+ nights
Add Tortuguero or the Osa Peninsula for the full nature circuit.
Sample itineraries
Day 1
Arrive San José
Land, transfer to Arenal (3 hrs); evening hot springs.
Days 2–3
Arenal / La Fortuna
Hanging bridges, the waterfall, a volcano hike, and a night walk.
Days 4–5
Monteverde
Jeep-boat-jeep across the lake; cloud forest bridges and ziplining.
Days 6–8
Manuel Antonio
Drive to the coast: park morning with a guide, beach afternoons, sunset catamaran.
Day 9
Depart
Transfer to San José or Liberia; fly home.
We'll turn any of these into a real, bookable trip
Flights, hotels, transfers, and the tours worth reserving in advance — priced and arranged by a travel professional.
Getting There & Around
Airports and transportation in Costa Rica
Juan Santamaría International (San José)
3 hrs to Arenal; 3 to Manuel Antonio
Typical transfer: Central gateway
- Shared/private shuttle
- Rental car
- Domestic flight
Daniel Oduber Quirós (Liberia)
1 hr to Papagayo/Tamarindo
Typical transfer: The Guanacaste gateway
- Shuttle
- Rental car
Getting around
Shared & private shuttles
RecommendedThe standard tourist transport — door-to-door between all the hubs; book ahead.
Rental car
UsefulRoads are decent on the main route; a 4x4 helps for Monteverde and the Osa. Waze works well.
Domestic flights (Sansa)
UsefulSmall planes hop between San José and the coasts — saves hours to the Osa or Tortuguero.
Boat (Tortuguero)
SituationalThe only way in — lodges arrange boat transfers through the canals.
Food & Dining
What to eat in Costa Rica
Eat at sodas — a casado lunch is the best $6 in travel. Book the famous hot springs and park entries ahead in dry season.
Known for
Gallo pintoCasadosFresh seafoodTropical fruitCoffeeSoda (local diner) culture
Dishes to try
- Gallo pinto. Rice and beans with Lizano sauce — the national breakfast, with eggs and plantains.
- Casado. The 'married man's' plate: rice, beans, protein, salad, and plantain — lunch at a soda for $6.
- Ceviche. Fresh and lime-bright at every beach town.
- Arroz con pollo/camarones. The party rice with chicken or shrimp.
- Coffee. Among the world's best — tour a plantation in the Central Valley.
Best dining areas
- Sodas everywhere. The family-run diners — the best value and the most authentic.
- La Fortuna & Manuel Antonio. The tourist hubs' restaurant rows, from sodas to fusion.
- Tamarindo. The coast's best dining scene, feet in the sand.
Family Travel
Costa Rica with kids
- Sloth & monkey spotting. Manuel Antonio's trails with a guide — kids spot animals all day.
- Ziplining. Most courses take kids from age 5–6 (tandem for the littlest).
- Hot springs. EcoTermales and Tabacón welcome families; the free hot river is the local secret.
- Chocolate & wildlife tours. Cacao tours and butterfly gardens around La Fortuna.
Family-friendly areas: Arenal · Manuel Antonio · Guanacaste (Papagayo)
Recommended trip length: 7–9 nights; two bases (volcano + beach) is the family sweet spot.
- Shuttles beat self-driving with kids on winding roads.
- Dry season (Dec–Apr) is easiest; green season means afternoon rain plans.
- Pack reef shoes and rash guards for beach days.
Couples & Luxury
Costa Rica for two
- Hot springs at night. Volcano-heated pools under the stars.
- Jungle-view suite, Arenal. Nayara-class rooms with outdoor showers and volcano views.
- Sunset catamaran, Manuel Antonio. Dolphins, snorkeling, and a Pacific sunset.
- Papagayo resort days. Adults-only pools and private coves.
Luxury stays
- Arenal (Nayara class)
- Papagayo
- Manuel Antonio boutiques
Spa
- Tabacón's spa
- Four Seasons Papagayo spa
- Nayara spa
Special occasions
- Private hot-springs dinner
- Couples' massage in the jungle
- Honeymoon packages with adventure days
Practical Information
Good to know before you travel
Currency
Costa Rican Colón (CRC); US dollars widely accepted
Language
Spanish; English widely spoken in tourist areas
Time zone
Central Standard Time (UTC-6, no daylight saving)
Plugs & voltage
Type A/B, 120V (same as US)
Tipping
10% service included at restaurants; tip guides $5–10 per person per tour
Local transport
Tourist shuttles between hubs; rental car (4x4) for flexibility; domestic flights for the Osa
Entry & visas
US citizens visa-free for 90 days; passport valid for the stay
Safety
The safest country in Central America. Watch for petty theft at beaches and rental cars (never leave valuables); ocean rip currents are the main natural hazard.
Entry, visa, and health requirements change. Always confirm current rules with the official government sources for your nationality before travel.
Know before you go
- Book dry season early. Christmas, New Year, and Easter week sell out months ahead with minimum stays.
- Green season is a feature. May–November means morning sun, afternoon showers, lush forest, and 30% lower prices — plan activities for mornings.
- Hire guides. A naturalist guide with a scope finds ten times the wildlife — worth it at least once per region.
- Two airports. San José (SJO) for Arenal/Monteverde/Manuel Antonio; Liberia (LIR) for Guanacaste. Open-jaw tickets save backtracking.
- Rip currents. Pacific beaches have strong currents — swim at lifeguarded or calm beaches and ask locals.
- Pack for two climates. Beach heat and cool cloud-forest evenings (Monteverde drops into the 60s°F) — bring a light fleece and rain jacket.
Map
Costa Rica at a glance
Main tourist areas, major attractions, neighborhoods, and the airport.
AttractionAirportNeighborhoodBeach
FAQs
Costa Rica travel questions
The questions our travelers ask most.
Ready When You Are
Let's plan your trip to Costa Rica
Tell us your dates and travelers. We'll handle flights, hotels, transfers, and the details that make the trip work.
Hotels & Resorts
Where to stay in Costa Rica
We match the property to the trip — location, room category, and what's actually included. Send us a hotel you found online and we'll check our rate.
Individual property pages for Costa Rica are added as official hotel media and supplier content is supplied — we don't publish stock photos as if they were pictures of a specific resort. In the meantime, tell us the property you're considering (or ask us to shortlist options) and we'll come back with our rate and honest guidance.
Things to Do
Things to do in Costa Rica
Tours, attractions, excursions, day trips, and family activities — provided and fulfilled by third-party providers.
GetYourGuide in Costa Rica
Tours, attractions, activities, and experiences.
Explore GetYourGuide →Viator in Costa Rica
Sightseeing, excursions, day trips, and transfers.
Explore Viator →GoGo Travel Group may earn a commission when you book certain tours, attractions, or experiences through links on this page. This does not necessarily increase the price you pay.
One Complete Trip
Complete your trip
Everything for the same trip, handled in one place.
Hotels & Resorts
Found a hotel online? Send it to us before you book and we'll check our rate.
Check Our Rate →Things To Do
Tours, attractions, excursions, day trips, transfers, and family experiences.
Explore Experiences →Travel Insurance
Protect your trip with coverage options from established providers.
Explore Insurance →Plan your trip to Costa Rica
Send us your dates and travelers and a travel professional will plan it with you.